Germany is an overpopulated country on an overpopulated continent. To suggest that it needs to encourage immigration to compensate for its falling population is complete lunacy and a classic example of how
dangerously out of touch many economists, politicians and bureaucrats are with reality. (Shrinking population threatens German economy, 21 July 2000).

While the Kaiser may have had similar concerns about not having enough potential soldiers for his armies, the fact is that Germany has almost 4 million people officially unemployed, and a far higher number of unofficial unemployed.

Instead of seeing Europe's declining population as a problem, we should recognise it for the blessing that it really is.

Like those medieval Aristotelians who opposed early science, modern economists, and the politicians and bureaucrats they advise, cling slavishly to their outdated theories, preferring to adapt man and society to suit them rather than considering new economic theory, better suited to creating a more humane, fairer and sustainable society.